eligah (son)evans
1893-1972
Life Story
A Life of Labor, Legacy, and Faith
Eligah Evans, affectionately called “Son” by his parents, was born on March 8, 1893, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Elias Evans (1875–1951) and Rachel Jane Cotton Evans (1874–1971). As the eldest of their children, Eligah grew up in a world still reshaped by the aftermath of Reconstruction, where hard work, education, and faith were the cornerstones of progress for African American families striving to build independent lives.
Despite the challenges of his time, Eligah achieved a rare accomplishment — he learned to read and write, completing the 2nd grade of elementary school. For a Black child in rural Mississippi at the turn of the 20th century, this was a meaningful triumph. When not in school, he worked as a farm laborer, helping his family cultivate the fields that sustained their livelihood. These early experiences instilled in him the values of perseverance, humility, and faith that guided him throughout his life.
Marriage and Family
After 1910, Eligah met Fannie Chapman, the daughter of John Chapman (1875–1953) and Lucinda Walker Chapman (1879–1958). Their relationship blossomed amid the tight-knit communities of Altare and Pleasant Hill, and though the exact date of their marriage remains uncertain, their union endured for over fifty years.
Together they welcomed twelve children, beginning with their firstborn in 1912. Their family represented the strength and endurance of Black rural households during the early 20th century — balancing agricultural labor with the deep joys and responsibilities of raising a large family.
Children of Eligah and Fannie Evans:
- Hattie Evans (1912–1985), married Hugh Johnson
- Fred Henry Evans (1913–1957)
- Elijah Evans Jr. (1915–2002), married Mary Evans
- Annie May Evans (1918–1919)
- Charlie B. Evans (1919–2000), married Loraine Wilkerson
- Juary Evans (1920–1964), married Maebell Haney and Ludie “Molly” Jordan
- Huey Evans (1922–1993), married Virginia Whitehead
- Reharb Evans (1926–1980), married Alma Anderson
- Robert J. Evans (1927–1982), married Bernice Brown
- Sallie Mae Evans (1933–1977), married Henry Lee Moore
- Ruby Lee Evans (1935–2003), married William D. Garner
Service and Community Life
On June 5, 1917, at age 24, Eligah registered for the World War I draft, as mandated by the Selective Service Act. In his registration, he identified himself as a farmer, a husband, and a father of four, underscoring his devotion to family even amid the uncertainty of war.
Faith was central to his life. He first joined Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, located south of Newton, before later transferring to St. Cloud Baptist Church, where he served faithfully as a deacon. His wife, Fannie, remained active in Altare M.B. Church, continuing her lifelong commitment to service and worship.
Migration and Family Legacy
As the decades passed, Eligah’s children became part of the Great Migration, a movement that saw millions of African Americans leave the rural South for cities in the North and Midwest. Seeking better opportunities, many of his children settled in Chicago, Illinois, and Flint, Michigan, contributing to a new generation of progress while maintaining deep ties to their southern roots.
After Fannie’s passing in 1965, Eligah found renewed companionship through marriage to Charity Moore. Though his later years were marked by age and reflection, his sense of humor and calm wisdom never waned. He was remembered for walking barefoot along the dirt roads between his home and his son Huey’s house near Beaver Creek Road and Vance Road, a simple act that spoke to his closeness with the land and his family.
Eligah passed away at Newton Hospital on January 4, 1972, at the age of 79. He was laid to rest in the Altare Missionary Baptist Church graveyard.
🕊️ Sidebar Reflection: A Faithful Steward of His Time
Eligah “Son” Evans’s life bridges three defining eras of Black history — from the children of Reconstruction to the first generation of southern migrants in the Great Migration. His life of faith, service, and resilience echoes through his descendants who continue to honor his name. His barefoot walks along Newton County’s red clay roads remind us that, even when paths were rough, he carried himself with quiet dignity, unyielding strength, and an abiding faith that transcended hardship.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
- U.S., WWI Civilian Draft Registrations, 1917-1918
- The Newton Record, Eligah Evans Obituary, Wed, Jan 19, 1972 ·Page 12
- The Newton Record, Newton Precinct, Poll Tax, Thu, Mar 20, 1913 ·Page 3
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